Mitsui Atsuo (1929-2000)
The actor Azuma Tokuho, 1957
Woodblock print
Signed: 'Atsuo saku' (made by Atsuo), lower left within the design
Inscription in right margin: 'Ga, hori, suri, Mitsui Atsuo' (picture, carving, and printing by Mitsui Atsuo), followed by red artist's seal
The dancer identified in the design: 'Azuma Tokuho'
Numbered: 'dai kyuju nana ban' (97)
Signed: 'Atsuo saku' (made by Atsuo), lower left within the design
Inscription in right margin: 'Ga, hori, suri, Mitsui Atsuo' (picture, carving, and printing by Mitsui Atsuo), followed by red artist's seal
The dancer identified in the design: 'Azuma Tokuho'
Numbered: 'dai kyuju nana ban' (97)
Vertical oban:
39.5 x 27.3 cm. (15 ½ x 10 ¾ in.)
39.5 x 27.3 cm. (15 ½ x 10 ¾ in.)
Very good impression, colour and condition.
£ 800.00
Mitsui Atsuo was born in Kyoto in 1929 (Showa 4), as the eldest son of Western-style painter Mitsui Bunji (1893-1958). He started out as a seal carver, but from 1950...
Mitsui Atsuo was born in Kyoto in 1929 (Showa 4), as the eldest son of Western-style painter Mitsui Bunji (1893-1958). He started out as a seal carver, but from 1950 he began studying traditional printmaking and Japanese printmaking under the guidance of Kawakita Michiaki (1914-1995).
The performer depicted here, Azuma Tokuho (1909-1998) was the daughter of the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon XV (1874-1945), and the geisha and dancer Fujima Masaya (1879-1957). In 1930 she founded the Shuntokai, one of a number of groups formed during the Taisho and early Showa period by dancers for creative and performance purposes. In 1933 she began performing as a dancer under the stage name Harue Fujima. In 1942 she adopted the name Tokuho. In 1976, Tokuho was awarded the Medal of Honour with a Purple Ribbon. In 1982, she received the Order of the Noble Crown, Fourth Class. In 1991, Tokuho was honoured as a person of outstanding cultural merit.
Another impression of the same print is in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art, object no. 28005, go to:
https://honolulu.emuseum.com/objects/7860/
The performer depicted here, Azuma Tokuho (1909-1998) was the daughter of the kabuki actor Ichimura Uzaemon XV (1874-1945), and the geisha and dancer Fujima Masaya (1879-1957). In 1930 she founded the Shuntokai, one of a number of groups formed during the Taisho and early Showa period by dancers for creative and performance purposes. In 1933 she began performing as a dancer under the stage name Harue Fujima. In 1942 she adopted the name Tokuho. In 1976, Tokuho was awarded the Medal of Honour with a Purple Ribbon. In 1982, she received the Order of the Noble Crown, Fourth Class. In 1991, Tokuho was honoured as a person of outstanding cultural merit.
Another impression of the same print is in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art, object no. 28005, go to:
https://honolulu.emuseum.com/objects/7860/